Vaccines urged as Hawaii confirms measles case in child under 5

[ironyak]

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/04/0...d-under-5/
"The inevitable has happened, with Hawaii’s first confirmed case of travel-related measles in the state this year as the number in the U.S. surges beyond 600.

The state Department of Health on Tuesday announced the measles case in an unvaccinated child on Oahu under the age of 5. It was confirmed Monday night, according to Gov. Josh Green, in a child who recently returned from international travel with family.

“There’s no need to panic — but there is a need to act,” said Green in a statement after a news conference Tuesday. “Measles isn’t just a rash and a fever — it’s one of the most contagious viruses known. We’ve already seen what happens when vaccination rates drop: more cases, more outbreaks, more lives at risk. The best thing you can do to protect your family, your community and our keiki is to get vaccinated. It’s simple, it’s safe and it saves lives.” (more at link, or the Tribune-Herald)

Puna has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state - many of the schools in the Kau-Keaau-Pahoa complex have vaccinations rates only in the 50-80% range which makes them likely areas for outbreaks of infectious diseases like measles.
2023-24 Immunization Reports by School
Stay safe!

[leilanidude]

Completely ridiculous why parents won't get this done. MMR vaccine has been around for decades and is proven quite safe.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

ridiculous why parents won't get this done.

* Doing their own research rather than asking their doctor for a recommendation?
* Conspiracy theories?
* Social media?

Bad decisions, not just for crazy uncles anymore.

[Chas]

Yeah, I know that it's been around for decades and proven safe, but I saw this guy on the internet that said...

[Durian Fiend]

...Puna has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state - many of the schools in the Kau-Keaau-Pahoa complex have vaccinations rates only in the 50-80% range which makes them likely areas for outbreaks of infectious diseases like measles.
2023-24 Immunization Reports by School
Stay safe!

Check out Pahoa high compared to Hilo high for missing immunizations.  Wow!

[ironyak]

While Hilo High's ~75% up-to-date status is far better than Pahoa High's ~50% status, both are far below the 95% vaccination rate needed to keep measles outbreaks from spreading. Given the several hundred known cases nationwide (although that's probably an undercount by 2x or 3x), and the current rapid spread, this measles outbreak will likely includes thousands of cases and several deaths.

Hawaii DOE and DOH are working to get students up to date with their required vaccines.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/04/1...t-measles/
"After Hawaii confirmed its first measles case in years, the state Education and Health departments are ramping up vaccination efforts, focusing on thousands of students who remain noncompliant with school immunization requirements.

“The health and safety of our students and staff are essential to maintaining supportive learning environments. Hawaii law requires that all students meet immunization requirements to attend school, including protection against communicable diseases like measles. These requirements are in place to keep our school communities safe and healthy,” a DOE spokesperson told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in an email.
...
In the 2023-2024 school year, among 185,579 public and private school students, 4.07% had religious exemptions, 0.16% had medical exemptions, 2.76% had no immunization records and 14.33% were missing required vaccines — meaning 21.33% had incomplete immunization records. Another 9.68% were missing physical exams.

In a recent letter to parents, DOH warned that students without proof of MMR vaccination may be excluded from in-person learning if an outbreak occurs. The DOH and DOE sent the letter earlier this month, encouraging families to vaccinate their children.
...
According to DOH, some Hawaii schools have alarmingly high rates of vaccine noncompliance, according to new data from the state Department of Health.

Malamalama Waldorf School on Hawaii island reported the highest percentage of religious exemptions statewide at 62.89%, followed by Haleakala Waldorf School on Maui at 58.46% and Kohala Adventist School at 52.94%.

Several public charter and private schools, including Kona Pacific charter school — 35.48% — and Alakai o Kauai charter school — 36.23% — also had high exemption rates.

Meanwhile, schools with the most students not up to date on required immunizations included St. Catherine School on Kauai, which reported 100% of students as noncompliant, Life Legacy Academy in Honolulu at 97.73% and Waianae Intermediate School at 69.48%. Other high-risk campuses included Konawaena Middle School at 65.32%, HI Academy of Arts &Science charter school at 64.18% and Kapaa Middle School at 63.42%. The data highlights significant pockets of vulnerability that could accelerate the spread of communicable diseases like measles if an outbreak occurs.
...
Gov. Josh Green signed emergency rules Tuesday allowing students with religious exemptions to receive the MMR vaccine while maintaining their exemption status for other vaccines. The rules, in effect for 120 days, aim to boost measles protection without forcing families to give up broader exemption rights.

The urgency follows new data revealing persistent immunization gaps. Preliminary 2024-2025 numbers show 28,300 students are still noncompliant. The statewide MMR vaccination rate is 89.8%, below the 95% needed for herd immunity.

Some schools — especially on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii island — report rates as low as 42%. Nearly 10% of schools statewide have more than half of students not up to date on required immunizations, according to state Rep. Trisha La Chica (D, Waipio-Mililani).

DOE is working closely with DOH to enforce compliance with immunization laws and emergency guidelines. Under Hawaii law, students must meet immunization, physical exam and tuberculosis clearance requirements unless they have medical or religious exemptions. While provisional entry is allowed with proof of a future appointment, this can be suspended during a public health emergency.

Officials warned that students without required vaccines may be excluded from school during an outbreak. Both agencies say rising vaccine hesitancy — driven by misinformation and pandemic-related health care disruptions — poses a serious threat to public health and learning continuity.

“Hospitals and clinics across Hawai‘i are on high alert,” Dr. Nadine Tenn Salle, clinical chair of pediatrics at The Queen’s Health Systems, said. “We’re ready to identify and isolate cases, but our best defense is prevention. That means vaccination — not just for your child, but to protect newborns, the immuno-compromised, and others who cannot be vaccinated. This is a community effort, and the medical community is here to help every step of the way.”" (more at link)

[MyManao]

religious exemptions..

Are basically declaration of ignorance and belief in fairytales.. and should be discontinued. No vaccines go away. Period.

[leilanidude]

religious exemptions
----------
I bet that the vast majority that have claimed the exemption have never given more than a thought to any religion in the first place, let alone practice one that states no to vaccines.

[kalianna]

Not true. There's the Sacred Pahoa Roundabout Church of Dancing Anti-Vaxxers and Pandemic Deniers to name one.

[TomK]

religious exemptions..

Are basically declaration of ignorance and belief in fairytales.. and should be discontinued. No vaccines go away. Period.

What about "magic mountains"?